Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum revealed he contemplates daily how his return from Achilles injury will impact the team’s established rhythm. The five-time All-NBA forward expressed concerns about integrating himself into a squad that has built a successful identity without him through 50-plus games.
Tatum discussed his thought process on “The Pivot Podcast” when asked about his potential return. The Celtics currently hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference despite his absence throughout the season.
“So there is a thought in my head, like, how does that work?” Tatum said. “Or how does that look with me integrating myself off the injury, 50, 60 games into a season? There obviously could be some challenges. And it is a thought: Do I come back? Should I wait? It’s something that I honestly, recently, in the last two weeks or so just kind of contemplate every single day.”
Jaylen Brown has thrived in Tatum’s absence with a 36.6 percent usage rate this season. That figure represents a career high and trails only Luka Doncic league-wide.
Brown has spoken multiple times about needing to sacrifice portions of his game in previous seasons. He now enjoys expanded freedom to showcase his complete skill set under the current system.
“I was discouraged a lot of times to take midrange shots,” Brown said recently. “At different points in my career, they literally told me not to. So now it’s like, Jaylen, you can take whatever shot you want.”
The Celtics rank second in offensive efficiency despite losing significant talent during the offseason. Boston has scored at a higher rate than last season when Tatum was healthy and available.
Payton Pritchard has emerged as one of the league’s most efficient isolation players. Young wings Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman have proven to be difference-making defenders, while newcomer Anfernee Simons has provided scoring off the bench.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla praised the team’s development this week while discussing the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl run. “I think you just take a look at a team that’s developed an identity over the course of the season,” Mazzulla said.
Tatum’s return will necessitate adjustments across the roster, including reduced minutes and touches for current contributors.